Wheel Storage Rack

Abstract

A wheel storage rack for storing wheels when not in use includes a vertically extending central post with arms extending from the central post. The arms support receivers for attaching wheel mounts. Each wheel mount is removably attachable to a wheel. The wheel mount has a hub for attaching to the inside surface of a wheel. A lug bolt passes through a lug hole in the wheel to secure the wheel to the hub, and a mounting post extends from the wheel mount in a direction opposite the hub. The mounting post is inserted into the receiver to mount the wheel to the storage rack.

1 . A wheel storage rack for storing wheels when not in use, comprising:
 a wheel mount removably attachable to a wheel, the wheel mount comprising:
 a hub comprising a wheel mounting surface adapted to contact an inside surface of the wheel; 
 a lug bolt secured to the wheel mounting surface, the lug bolt passing through a lug hole in the wheel; and 
 a mounting post extending from the wheel mount in a direction opposite the wheel mounting surface; 
   a receiver mounted to the storage rack, the receiver comprising:
 a receptacle adapted to receive the mounting post. 
   
   
   
       2 . The storage rack of  claim 1  further comprising a pin;
 wherein the pin passes through a transverse hole in the mounting post and a transverse hole in the receiver.   
   
   
       3 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a quick release mechanism adapted to fasten the mounting post to the receiver after the mounting post is inserted into the receiver. 
   
   
       4 . The storage rack of  claim 1  wherein the wheel mounting surface comprises one or more holes formed in a pattern such that the hole corresponds to the lug hole formed in the wheel. 
   
   
       5 . The storage rack of  claim 4  wherein the lug bolt is inserted into the lug hole. 
   
   
       6 . The storage rack of  claim 1  wherein the wheel mounting surface comprises one or more linear slots extending through the hub, wherein the radial position of the slot corresponds to the radial position of the lug hole formed in the wheel. 
   
   
       7 . The storage rack of  claim 6  wherein the lug bolt passes through the slot and is positionable along the length of the slot so that the lug bolt position corresponds the position of the lug hole formed in the wheel. 
   
   
       8 . The storage rack of  claim 1  further comprising a support arm to which the receiver is mounted. 
   
   
       9 . The storage rack of  claim 8  wherein the storage rack is secured to a vertical surface, and wherein the receiver extends from the support arm in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the vertical surface. 
   
   
       10 . The storage rack of  claim 8  further comprising a central post to which the support arm attaches. 
   
   
       11 . The storage rack of  claim 10  further comprising a base to which the central post mounts. 
   
   
       12 . The storage rack of  claim 11  wherein the base comprises castors. 
   
   
       13 . The storage rack of  claim 10  further comprising a connector attached to an upper end of the central post such that the rack can be suspended from a surface above the rack. 
   
   
       14 . The storage rack of  claim 1  further comprising a wheel cover. 
   
   
       15 . A wheel storage rack for storing wheels when not in use, comprising:
 a vertically extending central post;   an arm connected with the central post at a first end of the arm, the arm extending from the central post at an angle relative to the central post;   a horizontally extending receiver connected with a second end of the arm; and   a wheel mount removably attachable to a wheel, the wheel mount comprising:
 a hub adapted to contact an inside surface of the wheel; 
 a lug bolt extending from the hub in a first direction and passing through a lug hole formed in the wheel; and 
 a mounting post extending from the wheel mount in a second direction opposite the first direction; 
   wherein the wheel mount is attached to the second end of the arm by sliding the mounting post into the receiver.   
   
   
       16 . The storage rack of  claim 15  wherein: the receiver comprises a transverse hole, the mounting post comprises a transverse hole, and the storage rack further comprising pin extending through the transverse holes formed in the receiver and in the mounting post. 
   
   
       17 . The storage rack of  claim 15  further comprising a quick-release mechanism adapted to act between the receiver and the mounting post. 
   
   
       18 . The storage rack of  claim 15  wherein the central post is secured to and extends along a vertical surface. 
   
   
       19 . The storage rack of  claim 15  wherein the central post is secured to and extends from a horizontal surface. 
   
   
       20 . A wheel storage rack for storing wheels when not in use, comprising:
 a vertically extending central post;   an arm connected with the central post, the arm extending from the central post at an angle relative to the central post;   a receiver mounted to the arm; and   a wheel mount removably attachable to a wheel, the wheel mount comprising:
 a hub comprising a wheel mounting surface adapted to contact an inside surface of the wheel; 
 a lug bolt secured to the wheel mounting surface, the lug bolt passing through a lug hole in the wheel; and 
 a mounting post extending from the wheel mount in a direction opposite the wheel mounting surface; 
   wherein the mounting post is inserted into the receiver.